If NBA Stars Were Commissioner for a Day
During the NBA All-Star Saturday media availabilities on February 15, several prominent players shared their perspectives on potential rule changes they would implement if given the opportunity to serve as NBA Commissioner for a day. A common theme among their suggestions was the desire for increased transparency and fairness in officiating, disciplinary actions, and game structure.
Stephen Curry Advocates for Referee Grading Transparency
Golden State Warriors’ star Stephen Curry expressed interest in making the referees’ grading system public. He stated:
“I would probably want to see the refs’ grading system probably, like let that be more public, the same kind of way our stats are shown on a nightly basis.”
Curry believes that such transparency would benefit both fans and players by providing insight into officiating standards and evaluations.
“We get held accountable for our performance every single night, right? We have shooting percentages, turnovers, plus-minus – everything’s out there for people to analyze. Why not have a system where we can see how officials are being evaluated too?”
Currently, the NBA releases Last Two Minute Reports to assess the accuracy of calls made in the final moments of close games, but the comprehensive grading of referees remains confidential. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has acknowledged the complexity of this issue, stating:
“We want to get the best calls possible, but at the same time, we have to consider that these officials are human too. Transparency is important, but so is protecting our officials from undue scrutiny that could impact their ability to perform their jobs effectively.”
Damian Lillard and Anthony Edwards on Fines and Technical Fouls
Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard expressed concerns regarding the league’s fining system:
“It would probably have something to do with the fines. I feel like we get penalized for just about everything that comes with the emotions of the game.”
Lillard believes that emotional reactions, especially in the heat of competition, should be viewed with more understanding rather than automatically leading to penalties.
Similarly, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards suggested changes to the rules governing technical fouls:
“I’d change the techs. Like I’d let people be more into the game. You should be able to celebrate without worrying about getting T’d up for something small.”
Edwards elaborated on his frustrations with how referees interpret celebrations or trash talk:
“Sometimes you just hit a big shot, and you look at the crowd, or you flex, or say something, and boom, technical. That’s part of basketball, man. Let us have fun.”
Currently, the NBA imposes fines for various infractions, including technical fouls, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses. Lillard and Edwards believe the league should reconsider how these are enforced to maintain the competitive spirit of the game.
Cade Cunningham and Tyler Herro Propose Game Flow Adjustments
Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham offered a suggestion aimed at enhancing fairness in the review process:
“If you challenge a call, the ref that made the call can’t be there to review it. That way, there’s no bias, and it’s just another set of eyes making the decision.”
Cunningham believes that removing the original official from the review process would lead to more objective rulings.
Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro proposed a modification to the shot clock:
“I would change the shot clock to 20 seconds instead of 24.”
Herro explained that reducing the shot clock would speed up the game and make it more exciting:
“I think the game is better when it’s fast-paced. A shorter shot clock forces teams to move quicker, make faster decisions, and keeps the energy high.”
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Jalen Brunson on Scheduling Concerns
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson addressed the physical demands of the NBA schedule, specifically back-to-back games:
“I would say, honestly, lessen the back-to-backs, for sure. It’s tough playing one night, traveling, and then having to go out there again the next day.”
Brunson’s sentiment is widely shared among players, who believe that reducing consecutive games without rest could help decrease player fatigue and injury risk.
“Fans want to see us at our best, right? So why not space things out a little more so guys can be fresher?”
Commissioner Adam Silver’s Response
In response to these suggestions, Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that concerns surrounding officiating and scheduling are ongoing discussions within the league:
“We’re always looking at ways to improve the game. Whether it’s how we train officials, how we structure the season, or how we balance the need for competitiveness with the physical demands of an 82-game schedule.”
On referee transparency, Silver reiterated the league’s commitment to accountability but emphasized the challenges of making certain information public:
“We hold our officials to high standards, but there’s a fine line between transparency and putting them in a position where they’re constantly under fire. We want to ensure fairness, but we also want our referees to feel supported in their work.”
Regarding technical fouls and fines, Silver admitted there’s room for discussion:
“We’ve heard the feedback from players. I do think passion and emotion are a big part of what makes this game special, and we’ll continue to evaluate how we officiate those moments.”
